How provincial nomination works
- Provincial stageYou apply to the province, usually through an expression of interest and an invitation. The province checks its own criteria: often a job offer, work experience in the province, language and intent to live there.
- NominationThe province issues a nomination certificate.
- Federal stageYou apply to IRCC for permanent residence, which checks admissibility (medical, criminal and security). Enhanced nominations go through Express Entry; base nominations use a separate application.
Ontario’s 2026 redesign
Ontario Workforce Priority stream
On June 26, 2026, Ontario closed all eight former OINP streams, including the Employer Job Offer, Master’s Graduate, PhD Graduate and Express Entry streams. It replaced them with a single Ontario Workforce Priority stream. Key features:
- A full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer is required, except for self-employed physicians.
- Since May 30, 2026, the employer must be registered with the OINP before the candidate can apply.
- Candidates generally need recent work experience in the job-offer position with that employer.
- The no-job-offer graduate routes have closed.
Ontario has said more streams will follow later in the redesign. We will update this page as they launch.
Other provinces
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces each run streams for skilled workers, international graduates, in-demand occupations such as healthcare and trades, and in some cases entrepreneurs. Selection is often based on draws for specific occupations, and allocations change from year to year. Quebec selects its own immigrants through separate programs.
How ATWORLD IMMIGRATION helps
We match your profile and job offer to the province and stream that fit, register and prepare employers, and handle the provincial application and the federal permanent residence application that follows.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and IRB procedure change often; we confirm the current rules for your file at your consultation.